The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Bowen Byram on a six-year contract extension ($12.5 million salary cap hit). The contract will begin in the 2026-27 season and will run through the 2032-33 season.
Byram, 25, registered a career-high 42 points (11G, 31A) in 82 regular-season games for the Buffalo Sabres during the 2025-26 season. He also tied career highs with 11 goals and 31 assists last season. He finished the campaign ranked second among Buffalo defensemen in assists and points, while he ranked third in goals. Additionally, the blueliner recorded 93 blocked shots in 2025-26, good for third among all Buffalo skaters. In the postseason, Byram logged seven points (4G, 3A), finishing tied for third on the team in goals and fifth in points.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound blueliner has earned 152 points (44G, 108A) in 328 career regular-season NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo. Byram has also made three career trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, posting 19 points (4G, 15A) in 40 postseason contests. He logged postseason career highs with nine assists and points in 20 games in 2022, helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup.
The native of Cranbrook, B.C. has also made several appearances for Team Canada on the international stage, winning a gold medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. Byram also won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship serving as team captain.Byram was originally selected by the Avalanche in the first round (4th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
